SELLING devices which allow TV viewers to watch channels illegally and selling counterfeit goods on Facebook landed a man with a criminal record.

Anthony Ayre, 32 of Blackhall, County Durham, advertised the devices to allow TV viewers to illegally watch Sky, BT and other subscription channels without signing up.

He also offered for sale a Sunderland football top and handbags, clothing and jewellery purporting to be made by the likes of Nike, Michael Kors and MAC – all of which were later found to be fake.

Ayre, of Dene Road, was taken to court by Durham County Council for ten counts of breaching trademark and copyright laws and has now been given a six-week suspended prison sentence.

Peterlee magistrates heard how the council was informed by a neighbouring authority in July 2015 of an individual from County Durham using Facebook to sell TV devices which were later found to contain illegal software which gives viewers access to subscription channels without having to sign up, and counterfeit goods.

These goods were being offered at a fraction of the retail price of the items they purported to be.

During a raid at Ayre's home 40 TV devices were seized as well as a number of suspected counterfeit items.

Ayre pleaded guilty to the charges and was given a six-week suspended sentence for six months and was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.